MAYWEATHER WIN A CLASSIC By George Elsasser

Label that Mayweather clinic of a performance last nite what you will ... classic, vintage, sparkling ... or any other complementary attachment you like ... the kid does it all.

The South African came to fight ... problem was, he was in a whole different league than Floyd Jr. and it showed from start to finis ... end came via TKO at the 1:50 seconds mark of candle seven ... a counter right hand over a slow N'Dou jab landed flush ... two more quickly followed and it was good nite for the "time bomb."

It was one of them nights sort of thing for the defending WBC champ ... homecoming and all ... and the quickness and confidence was there for all to see ... as for his pugilistic prey ... gave it his best thru four stanzas - but then a monster fifth round for Floyd - and one could see self-doubt replacing the earlier assurance.

Mayweather goes to 40 wins with no losses and 21 via the knockout route ... in post-fite chat with Larry Merchant the Grand Rapids rapier shouted he wants bigger game ... says anything from 154 down will do just fine.

Comments: Think for now jr. middle is a stretch ... is still growing in size as well as stature ... jr. welter seems the right call ... Tszyu, Judah, Mitchell, Tackie are a few of a chock-full of names ... and welter with Mayorga, Forrest, Margarito, Spinks - but come the day, with physical maturity joining the kid's fistic skills, he is surely a favorite in my book.

Semper fi,

GEL

11-01-2003